Blackout curtains

[rootyboots]

I was wondering if anybody who has (like me!) decided to do a wartime theme, has made their own blackout curtains, and if so, how they did it? What kind of material is best to use?

I'm actually not sure what blackout curtains were like - were they sewn to the backs of the normal curtains? Were they extra curtains behind the normal curtains? Were they more like blinds? I really don't know! Any tips, hints or pictures would be very welcome!

Sorry, this is my second post of the day!

[Creativelc]

I think they had an extra layer of material to make them thicker and the extra layer was dark fabric to block the light out.
Not 100% sure maybe someone else will know

[valemag]

Originally Posted by rootyboots

I was wondering if anybody who has (like me!) decided to do a wartime theme, has made their own blackout curtains, and if so, how they did it? What kind of material is best to use?

I'm actually not sure what blackout curtains were like - were they sewn to the backs of the normal curtains? Were they extra curtains behind the normal curtains? Were they more like blinds? I really don't know! Any tips, hints or pictures would be very welcome!

Sorry, this is my second post of the day!

Hya you can still get blackout curtaining. It's very popular for childrens bedrooms but nowadays its made of 3 layers of ruberised material bonded together and is white in colour. In the war it was black or dark blue. I think they would use whatever they could get hold of in dark fabric and either line the curtains or probably make blinds as they would use less fabric. Val

[Dolly donut]

yes, often they were blinds or curtains, depending on the ability of the householder as a seamstress or preference but more often than not i am told by elder relatives that it was oftens just material taped onto the window or in some cases paint was used when the material/dyes became harder to come by

[rootyboots]

Thanks everyone - that's really helpful! I don't think I'll be painting my pretty stained glass windows, but the blinds idea is a really good one. I want something that can be rolled up (or rather, that looks as though it can be rolled down) so that you can still see into the house as normal. I'm setting my 'scene' at the outbreak of war, so I think I can still use material!

[vivienne.a.baird]

Blackout curtain
Were only a way to refer to people to block out the light
and they were heavy enough that they would hang past the window ledge
and wide enough that when drawn together there were no cracks in the middle If you think of it money was tight so they could not go out and buy blackout curtains
As for modern baby ones the are to keep the light reverse
From war time as that is choice

[Bluebird]

I'm not sure if this link will work (sometimes google images is a bit temperamental) but if not, google 'blackout curtains WW2 in images for a selection of actual photos. The advertising archives site looks useful too.

blackout curtains ww2 - Google Search

[coodencat]

Hi This site came up too from Bluebirds site it seems we can allsave on our heating bills with blackout curtains
Consider Blackout Curtains to Save Energy and Control Light and Noise
tc carol

[vivienne.a.baird]

hi coodencat
This is a cool Idea considering that it is freezing outside
As for if the work for sleeping problems in childrn
Im not to sure because with children if they are tierd they will sleep
wheather its dark or not

[davidsmum]

Originally Posted by rootyboots

I was wondering if anybody who has (like me!) decided to do a wartime theme, has made their own blackout curtains, and if so, how they did it? What kind of material is best to use?

I'm actually not sure what blackout curtains were like - were they sewn to the backs of the normal curtains? Were they extra curtains behind the normal curtains? Were they more like blinds? I really don't know! Any tips, hints or pictures would be very welcome!

Sorry, this is my second post of the day!

Hello rootyboots

Re your question on blackout curtains - while looking for something else (as is always the way!) I saw this on ebay:

Unusual 1/12th scale WW2 blackout kit on eBay (end time 14-Feb-10 20:47:00 GMT)